Confection making machine



\ 8 Sheets-Sheet l E, A. BOLEN GONFECTION MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1934 Dec, 7, W37,

Dec. 7, 1-937. E. BOLEN CONFECT ION MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 c. 7,. 1937. E. A. BOLEN y fi CONFECTION MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec.7,1937. T EA LEN 2,101,570

CONFECTION MAKING MACHINE Dec. 7, 1937. E. A. BOLEN CONFECTION MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 6 8 Sheets-Sheet E. A. BOLEN Dec. 7, 1937.

' CONFECTION MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 26, 1934 frame;

- Emerson A. Bolen, assignments, to F UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,101,570 'CONFECT ION MAKING MACHINE Morris, Ill., asslgnor, by memo red L. Borohert, Rockford, Ill.

Application November 26, 1984, Serial No. 754,731

22 Claims.

This inventionreiates to confection making machines, and has special reference to a machine for cutting, piercing'and coating a confection,

such as ice cream.

An object of the invention is the provision of a machine for automatically c a slab of ice cream, piercing the utting bars from barswith a stick,

coating the bars while held by the stick and transporting the finished bars to a packaging station.

A further objectof the invention is the provision of an improved feeding arrangement for moving the slab of vice cream forward th and for gauging the size of the rough the cutters bar.

Another object of the invention is the provision bars and for feeding the sticks chine.

' of improved means for inserting sticks into the through the ma- Another important aim of the invention is the provision of improved means for coating the bars and for agitating the coating composition by circulation of the same through the coating chamber to prevent accumulation t herein of the by products of the coating operations.

A still further object of the provision of generally improved mechanism for transporting the bars from position to position invention is the and for taking up the bar at the loading station and discharging the same at the unloading station.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the drawings,

in which- Figure 1 is a side view of a machine embodying the invention:

pposed positions;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the centralor driving portion ofthe machi Figs. 6 and 7 are sections on the line 6-6-'of Fig. 5 showing moved positions of the trigger mechanism Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5 showing the gears for imparting indexing motion to the transporting mechanism Fig. 9 is a sideview of the feeding mechanism,

partly in section, showing the the conveyer manner in which unit may be removed from the Fig. 101s a section on the line Hi -i of Fig. 9:

Fig. 11 is a section on the line ii-ii of Fig. 9:

Fig. 12 is a section on the 1i showing the stick feeding me he l2-i2 of Fig. chanism;

Fig. 13 is a view taken Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a section on the line H-il of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a section on the line l6ll of Fig. 12

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 5 i5 showing the parts in moved position;

Fig. 17 is a section on theline ll,-l1 showing the piercing mechanism;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line l8-i8 of Fig.

- 5 showing the bar cutters and operating mechanism:

Fig. 19 is a section on the line l9i9 of Fig. 12 showing the coating mechanism;

Figs. 20 and 21 are side views of the stick feeding mechanism in moved positions, parts being broken away to show the manner of renewing the supply of sticks in the stick magazine;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing a modified form of stick feeding mechanism;

Fig. 23 is a section on the line 28-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a section on the line M-M of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a section on the line 2ll28 of Fig. 23, and Fig. 26 is a section on the line 28-26 of Fig. 23. The invention contemplates a machine for making confections carried on a stick whichserves to facilitate the eating of the confection, and is designed particularly for the making of an ice cream confection, though it will doubtless be found to be of value in the making of other types. The invention will, therefore, be described in conection with an ice cream confection, and it will be understood that it is not to be so limited.

The machine includes the table designated generally by the numeral 25 having a flat top 28 and a shelf 21 spaced downwardly therefrom. Carried under the table top 26 is a motor 26 arranged to drive a horizontally disposed shaft 2% carried in bearing brackets 3| and 32 by means of a belt 33, a pulley 3 4, a worm 35, and a worm wheel 86, the worm wheel being pinned to the shaft .29 and the worm being carried on the bracket 3i ,as shown in Fig. v5. The supply of current to the motor 28 is controlled through a switch 30. The instrumentalities carried on the table 26 and driven from the shaft 29 fall rough- 1y into four groups, namely, feeding and cutting mechanlsm, stick feeding and piercing mechanism, transporting mechanism. and dipping mechanism, and we will consider these separately in the order mentioned.

Feeding and cutting mechanism The ice cream is supplied to the machine in on the line i3-l3 of 7' and the pulley. A gear able length.

the form of slabs having a cross-sectional area equal to one side of the bar and of a consider- This slab is placed on a conveyer belt 31, which belt is carried on pulleys 38 and 39 positioned at opposite ends of a conveyer frame 4I.- The pulleys 38 and 39 are supported on pins pivotally carried in the frames as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the pin 40 carrying the pulley 38. The conveyer frame 4! has upstanding side flanges 42 and 43 between which the upper reach of the conveyer belt rests, the flanges serving as guides in the forward movement of the slab of ice cream. The belt ill has a row of spaced openings 44 adapted for the reception of pins 45 on the pulley 38 for the purpose of driving the belt and preventing slippage between the belt Miis pinned to one end of the pin 40 and has an outwardly extending hub 4'! on which a bell crank lever 48 is rotatably carried. The lever 48 carries a spring pressed ratchet pawl 49 adapted to engage the teeth of the gear 46, indexing the same in response to movement of the lever 48. A plate 55 rests between the gear 46 and the conveyer frame, and has a segment 52 through which a screw 53 passes into the frame for the purpose of adjusting the plate circumferentially about the pin 40. The plate carries a spring pressed ratcheting pawl 54 for the purpose of preventing return rotation of the gear 46. The plate likewise carries a flange 55 overhanging the gear 46 to receive the pawl 49 so as to prevent its contact with the gear 45 during a part of the stroke of the lever 48, the amount depending upon the rotative position of the plate 5| as determined by the segment 52 and screw 53. Therefore, by rotation of the plate 5!, the amount of forward movement of the belt 31 may be adjusted and, consequently, the forward movement of the ice cream slab. As shown in Fig. 9, the conveyer frame 4l,. the belt 31 and the part of the drive therefor which has heretofore been described, is a separate unit capable of removal from the table for convenient access in washing, etc. The conveyer frame 4| has a pair of depending legs 56 at one end adapted to rest upon the top of the table to support the feeding mechanism thereon and a pair of depending legs 51 at the forward end thereof adapted for reception in sockets 58 in a top plate 59 resting on the top of the table. The conveyer frame 4! seats on the table between a pair of upstanding flanges 6| adjacent the top plate 59 and a pair of flanges 62 rearwardly spaced therefrom. The flanges 62 have slots 63 for the reception of screws 64 on the sides of the conveyer frame, and are provided with latches 65 for the purpose of latching the screws into the slots 63.

When the conveyer assembly is positioned on the table, a slot 86 in one arm of the lever 46 thereof receives a roller 6? pinned in one end of an oscillating arm 68 for the purpose of oscillating the belt crank lever 48 and thereby index the conveyer belt forward. I'he arm 68 is carried on a shaft 69 pivotally attached to the bottom of the table, and a spring H is positioned in tension to elevate the rear end of the arm. The forward end of the arm carries a roller 12 which acts against a cam 13 carried on the shaft 29 and driven therefrom. The shape of this cam is best shown in Fig. 11, and is shaped for gradual advancement of the conveyer belt 31 and rapid return of the arm 68 and lever 48 for subsequent engagement of the pawl 48. Thus, upon rotation of the shaft 39, the

conveyer belt 31 is intermittently advanced to a point determined by the shape of the cam 13. the amount of the advancement being determined by the position of the segment 52.

An' abutment member 14 is positioned at the forward end of the conveyor 31 and serves to limit the forward movement of the ice cream slab. The abutment member is carried in a bracket having forked ends 15 and I6 supporting a rod 11 attached to the abutment member. The rear end of the rod i1 is threaded into a push member 18 and carries a nut 19. The rod Ti and push member 18 are slidable in the bracket, and a spring 8i tends to force these members to the right facing Fig. 5. A cam 32 is carried on a vertical shaft 83 driven by gears 84 and 85, the cam acting against the end of the push member I8 to urge the abutment to its forward position. The abutment moves between the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the cam moving the same into the position shown in Fig. 3 simultaneously with the advancement of the conveyer belt so that the ice cream slab strikes the abutment member to limit the position thereof. The position of the abutment member may be determined by threading the rod Tl into and out of the push member 18. A spout extends downwardly from the table top and registers with an opening through the top directly under the abutment member I4 to catch drop from this point of the machine or to receive the prodnets of faulty operation of the mechanism.

The ice cream bar is severed from the slab by means of a pair of knives 86 and 81 best shown in Fig. 18, the knives being carried on vertically disposed arms 88 and 89 by means of screws 9| passing through slots 92 for relative adjustment of the knives and the arms by means of adjustable abutment screws 93. The arms are pivotally carried on a bearing pin 94 rotatably supported on the shelf 21 of the table, and have arcuate portions 95 and 96 providing a central opening 91 between the arms into which cam followers 98 and 99 project for engagement with cams ml and I02, respectively, the cams being carried on the shaft 29 and being oppositely shaped and positioned therefrom for reciprocation of the knives 86 and 81 between the open position shown in Fig. 3 and the closed position shown in Fig. 4 for the purpose of severing a bar of ice cream from the slab. Springs ")3 tend to urge the cam followers into contact with the cams.

Piercing and stick feeding mechanism As an ice cream slab is indexed forward on the conveyer belt, and prior to the operation of the cutting means, sticks are forced into the upper surface of the slab in spaced relationship so that the knives in severing a bar from the forward end of the slab, sever the ice cream midway between two spaced sticks. This mechanism is best shown in Figs. 12-17 and Figs. 20 and 21. This mechanism includes a pair of vertical uprights I04 and )5 supported on the table top adjacent opposite sides thereof by means of screws I06 and I0! passing through slots lfifi and ms for adjustment of the uprights longitudinally of the table so that the spacing between sticks may be varied. A plate Hl (Fig. 15) extends between the uprights HM and IE5 transversely. of the table. An abutment H2 is positioned on the plate Ml against which successive sticks such as shown at H3 are adapted to be urged by means of mechanism presently to be described. 'When the sticks are brought above the ice cream slab as shown in Fig. 17.

-A driving member 4 extends upward through thetop of the table and includes a pair of arms H6 and I I6 havinga crosshead II1 carrying an outwardly projecting finger 8 adapted to con-' tact theupper end of the stick to force the same ,dowrr into the icecream slab upon downward I movement of the driving member H4. The driving' member has a downwardly extending pin II3 which passes through theshelf 21 to guide the driving member in its vertical reciprocating movement, The driving member has an opening I2I through which the shaft 23 passes, and carries a pair of cam followers I22 and I23 adapted to engage cams I245an'd I26 carried on the shaft 29, the -,cams-actingf to reciprocate the driving member in timed relation with the remaining Darts of-the machine.

.Sticksare fed into position against the abutmerit II2from a magazine'flesignated generally "by the numeral I26 best'shown in Figs. 20 and 21,

'azineconsists of spaced side walls I23 and I23 providing a chamber closed on its bottom side and open'on the top for the insertion of bundles carry rods I34 and I36. having feet I36 ithemagazine being supported at its forward end on the plate'I II and at its rear end on" an upright I21 attached to thetable-top. The magof sticks, such as shown at I3I. I32 and I33 .at the rear end A pair of sleeves of the chamber and I31 adapted to bear, against the row of sticks in the magazine, and urge them forward under spring pressure supplied by springs I38 and I33. The rods are independently slidable in' the sleevesso pose the rod I is drawn outward as shown in Fig. 20, and a bundle of sticks is inserted into the magazine as shown in Fig. 20. Upon release fof the. rod I36, feeding pressure is supplied to the sticks from this rod and the rod I34 is drawn outward so that the bundle of sticks can beforceddownward to the bottom of the magazine as shown in Fig. 21. The sticks pass from the magazine through the plate III and into the space between this plate and a second plate I4I spaced forwardly from the plate III. The plate cate the shuttle longitudinally with respect to the plate III. The pin I44 is of considerably greater length than the spacing of the plates III and MI,

I and the forked ends I41 and I43 are widely spaced so as to permitof adjustment of the position of the feeding mechanism to accommodate bars of diiferent sizes. The forward end of the shuttle has a forwardly extending finger I51 against which the sticks are caused to abut upon emergence from the magazine and with a shoulder I52 adapted to engage the edge of the stick to cause the same to follow along the plate III upon forward reciprocation of the shuttle to move the sticks successively into'the position shown in Fig. 16. As the stick reaches the position shown in Fig. 16, a spring pressed latch 2,101,070 Q mm this position they are held endwlse directly ,against the abutment A shuttle I43 is positioned between the member I63 pivoted on the plate I and extends ing into the space between the plates III and I as shown at I64, drops over the edge of the stick, retaining the same in. driving position II2 permitting the shuttle to return to the position shown in Fig. 15 and leaving the stick in driving position. A pawl I66 (Fig. 12) spans the space between the plates III and HI and is rotatable into and out of a notch I66 in these plates to engage a notch I 61 in the shuttle to prevent reciprocation oi the shuttle without stopping the machine.

The fork I43 extends downward through the top plate 63, and the table top, and is there attached to a slide I68 reciprocable in a slideway I68 and having a downwardly extending fork I8I adapted to receive a pin I62 carried on a cam- Transporting mechanism when the bars of ice cream having the sticks inserted therein are severed from the slab by action of the knives 36 and 31, the sticks are engaged by transporting mechanism which carry the bars to a coating station and later to an unloading station. This consists of a wheel designated generally by the numeral I68 (Fig. 2)

having an annular rim I83, the wheel being carried at its centeron a vertically disposed shaft I'II passing through the top plate 69 and the top of the table and carrying a gear I12 at its lower end meshing witha gear I13 carried on the shaft 83. The gears I12 and I13 have an outer configuration such as shown in Fig. 8, the gear I12 having spaced groups of teeth I14 and dwells I16 cooperable with teeth I13 and dwells I11 on the gear 113, whereby continuous rotation of the shaft 83 brings about intermittent or indexing-movement of the gear I12, such movement corresponding withbar receiving elements carried on the wheel.

Bar holders such as shown at I18, I13, etc. are positioned on the rim I63 and serve to receive the bar when it is severed from the ice cream slab by the cutters 36 and 81 and are successively indexed into place opposite the cutters by the indexing movement of the wheel. The bar holders are attached to the rim by means of screws and wing nuts I81 and are adjustable on the rim for the handling of different sized bars. Each of the bar holders consists of a horizontally disposed portion I32 resting on the top of the rim I33 and a vertically disposed portion I33 depending therefrom, the vertically disposed portion being cut away as shown at I84 for'the passage of the operator's finger in removing the bar from the holder. The vertically disposed portion has a pair of fingers I36 and I 36 on its trailing edge and at its opposite or leading edge carries a'trigger or pawl I81 positioned intermediate the fingers I85 and 186, the pawl being pressed toward the fingers by means of a spring 188 so as to grip the stick of the bar between the fingers and the pawl under the tension of the spring. The pawl extends rearwardly beyond the plane of the holder ,to provide an outwardly extending end I83 adapted to be contacted by a plunger I31 (Figs. 5 and 6) carried on a rod I32 threaded into a push:member I33, the rod being supported in III) the fork I and the push member being supported in the fork I6. A spring ISI acts against a nut I95 on the rod I92 to urge the plunger ISI to the right facing Figs. 5 and 6 and free of the pawl I81. A cam I96 carried on the shaft 83 urges the plunger ISI in the opposite direction whereby to contact the pawl.

Thus, as the ice cream slab is indexed forward on the conveyer belt 31 into a position against the member M, the stick previously inserted into the slab moves into the space between the fingers W5 and I86 and the pawl I81, the pawl having previously been moved to its open position by contact with the plunger ISI. Just prior to the operation of the knives 86 and 81, the pawl I81 is released causing the stick to be grasped in the holder as shown in Fig. '7. After operation of the knives, the wheel is indexed sumciently to bring the next succeeding bar holder into position,

and the steps are repeated.

Coating mechanism When the machine is in operation, each of the bar holders between the receiving station and the unloading station carries a bar, and it will be foundthat the best point at which the bars can be unloaded from the carrying mechanism is at a point shortly before the receiving station so that the bars will have had time to thoroughly drain and the coating to solidify. Consequently, the major number of the bar holders will be loaded during the normal operation of the machine. A tank designated generally by the numeral I91 extends along the edge of the table under the rim of the wheel I69 through a substantial portion of a circle, in this instance about a half circle. This tank is removably supported on the tab1e top through a flange 90 and pins I00, and is of a depth to carry an adequate supply of coating material, such as chocolatejand is provided with a water chamber I98 in the bottom thereof arranged to be heated by an electric heater I99 connectedto a source of power through a suitable switch ml. The water chamber I98 serves to keep the coating material in a proper heated condition. Water is placed in the chamber when desired through a spout 202. A dipper 203 is located at a suitable point in the tank and is received in a cylindrical case 2% seated in the tank and extending to a point near the bottom thereof. The dipper and casing constitute nesting reservoirs for holding coating material during the operation of the machine. The lower end of the casing 204 has a partition 205 carrying a valve 2% adapted to allow the entry of fluid into the cylinder and to prevent the exit therefrom. The lower end of the dipper 203 is likewise provided with a bottom 201 having a valve 208 of similar construction. Through this arrangement upward movement of the dipper in the cylindrical case 206 causes the entry of coating fluid into the cylinder 2%, and downward movement of the dipper causes the valve 206 to close and the valve 2&8 to open, whereby the coat-- ing material is transferred to the dipper, substantially the entire previous contents of the dipper spilling over and out of the upper end of the dipper. Thus, reciprocation of the dipper causes a flow of the coating material, bringing about agitation thereof. Special attention is directed to the fact that the contents of the dipper is completely changed between each coating operation. In this way the coating material, such as chocolate in ice cream coating, is distributed back into the main body of coating material where the moisture,'which was acquired from the ice cream during the coating operation, is allowed to evaporate.

This prevents accumulation of the moisture in the dipper, a serious defect in prior art machines. Vertical reciprocation of the dipper 203 is timed with the indexing of the wheel so that when the dipper is raised upward, a bar such as shown at 288 is immersed in the coating material held in the dimer, the dipper returning to its lowermost position before the next indexing movement of the wheel. The dipper is attached to a vertical rod 209 which moves lengthwise to reciprocate the dipper, and the cylinder 206' is likewise carried on the rod 299, a sleeve 2II being inserted therebetween. The rod 209 is reciprocated by an arm 2I3 pivotally supported on a bracket 2H carried on the table top, the arm having an internal cam surface M5 and a cam follower 2I6 cooperating with a cam 2 I 1 positioned on the shaft 29, the cam and cam follower being so arranged that the dipper is positively raised and also brought to a positive lower position.

After the coating operation is completed, the bar travels around on the rim I69 above the tank I91, the excess coating draining into the tank. The bars may be removed beyond the end of the tank by manually drawing the stick out of the holder against the tension on the pawl I81, the pawl returning to its closed position, or the bars may be removed automatically by suitable machinery.

In Figs. 22-26 inclusive I have shown a modified form of stick feeding mechanism wherein the shuttle I43 is driven directly from the arm bearing against the cam I64. In this case a lever 22I has a cam follower 222 bearing against the cam I64 and has its upper end bifurcated as shown at 223 to receive the pin I. A spring 224 continuously urges the lever against the cam. In this form the elements III and MI are provided with arcuate slots 225 and 226 as best shown in Fig. 22 for the reciprocation of the shuttle I43 by the lever 22I. A plate 221 is attached to the abutment H2 in spaced relation thereto for the reception of the forward end I5I of the shuttle, the plate serving to guide the shuttle at the end of its movement. A latch designated generally by the numeral 228 is attached to the element Hi and consists of an angle iron latch member 229 having one side projecting through a slot 23I in the element III, the other side normally resting against the surface of the element I I I. A flat spring 232 is fixed to the element I II by means of screws 233 as best shown in Fig. 25 and serves to retain the latch member in the slot 23I. The end of the latch member is beveled as shown at 235 adjacent the stick magazine so as to urge the latch to its open position upon forward movement of the shuttle for the passage of a stick.

The stick magazine is flanged at its upper edge as shown at 235 and has longitudinal slots 236 for the passage of pressure applying mechanism through the sides of the magazine. Ways 231 and 238 are attached to the side of the magazine and carry a carriage 239, the latter being provided with rollers 2 5i, 262, 2 33 and 2 3:? operating against the way 238, and similar rollers operating against the way 23? for movement of the carriage along the magazine. The carriage has a pin 2% adapted to receive a cable 2% wound on a drum 2M tensioned by means of a spring 248 to draw the carriage forward and apply pressure to the sticks in the magazine. The carriage has a plate 229 having outwardly extending fingers 25I adapted to bear against the end of the row ,of sticks in the magazine, the plate being sup-- broken coating is obtained. j Another advantage of my invention is the fact that the parts may be adjusted for the manufacture of bars of a considerable range of size,

portedonthe carriage by means of scre'ws 252 the '"plate can be moved between the full and dotted line position "shown in Fig. 24 to relieve the pressure from the sticks or for "replenishing j '1 :the supply of sticks in the magazine.

. Attention' is directed to the fact that the slab of ice cream is automatically; fed into the ma-' chine and that the sticks are insertedinto the-- slab' prior to the severance of the bar therefrom,

asa result of which the sticks are inserted with} out in any way distorting the shape of the finished bar. It should also be noted thatthebaris transported from position to position by means 1 of the stick, and the'bar is held by the stickduring the coating operations so that a uniform un- J the range beingwide enou'ghfor the manufacat-current prices.

T g for feeding the sticks into position above the-ice cream slab and for piercing the slab, 'renderingf'g this operation positive simple elements.

plenished during .30

t'ure of any bar which may economically belsold Improved means are provided The dipper action is smooth and posi- 1 tive, involving a straight reciprocating action.

Substantially all of the parts of the machine which require frequent cleaning are easily acces- -1' 'sible or quickly and conveniently removed or disassembled for washing and cleaning purposes.

While I have thus described and illustrated a il specific embodiment of my invention, I am aware appended claims, in whichthat numerous alterations and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the infventlon, and I do not wish to be limited except as firequired by the prior art and the scope of the I claim:

1. A confection making machine comprising in combination, feeding a slab of confection material to said cutting mechanism for the severance of bars therefrom, means for inserting sticks into said slab in the areas comprising the bars, prior to the severance of the bars from the slab, means for transporting the bars by the sticks away from the cutting mechanism and means for intermittently operating the transporting mechanism to transport successive bars away from the cutting mechanism prior to the operation of the feeding mechanism and subsequent to the operation of the cutting mechanism.

2. A confection making machine comprising in combination, means for intermittently advancing a slab of confection material, a cutter for severing a bar from the end of said slab at' each advancementthereof, driving means for inserting a stick into'each bar of confection material, and an endless transporting means for transporting the bars by means of the sticks away from said cutters for subsequent operations thereon.

' 3. A confection makingmachine comprising in combination a cutter, means for intermittently advancing a slab of confection through said outcombination a cutter,

and involving the use '0:- Means are provided whe eby the supply of sticks in the magazine may--b'ef-re+ the *operation of 'thefmachine, thus providing for continuous and uninterrupted service. I fl Another feature of the machine is improved means for coating the barwhereinthe dipper is.

self-replenishing and is so arranged as tdpro= 'vide agitation for the entire reservoirof coating material.

I bars, means for and toan inoperative 40f the severed bar, and means for driving each bar cutting mechanism, means for .ter for the severance of bars therefrom, means for predetermining the amount of said advancement; means for drivin'g sticks in said slab in spaced relation, arid means for predete'rmining the spacing of said sticks in relation to' said advancement. to cause the sticks to be centrally disposed in the severed bars.

4. A confection making machin comprising in means for intermittently advancing a slab of confection through said cutter for the severance of bars therefrom, means for predetermining the amount of said advancement including abutment means for limiting the advancement ofthe slab adjustable to predetermine the sizeofsaid' bars, means for driving sticks into said slab in spaced relation, and means for predetermining the spacing of said sticks to cause the same to be centrally disposed invthe severed bars." v r 5. -A confection making machine comprising in combination a cutter,-means for intermittently advancing a slab of slab adjustable. to predetermine the-size ofsaid moving theabutment means from an operativepo'sition to-contactsaid slab, position for the removal of said means in timed relation. 6. The. combination in a" machine having means for intermittently ad-= vancing a block of confection, of vertically reciprocating driving means for inserting a stick into the confection, a magazine having a horizontally disposed bottom and confining side members for retaining sticks in a, rowon their ends, spring means for urging said sticks successively to a feeding position, means for feeding laterally from said feeding position in succession to a driving position adjacent said confection, and means for holding said sticks in thedriving position releasable in response to confection. a

- 7. The combination in a confection making machine, of means for inserting sticks into the confection comprising means for holding the sticks in a piercing position with relation to. a slab of confection, a driving member for driving the sticks into said slab, means for successively moving sticks into said holding means, a stick magazine for supplying sticks in succession to said last mentioned means, and a pair of presser members acting on the sticks in said magazine, said members being separately operative for alternate use in the insertion of sticks into the magazine during the operation of the machine,

8. In a confection making machine, the combination of a table having a table top, a shaft holding said sticks in the driving position, means for moving the confection to space said'sticks in said confection, a plurality of cams spaced longitudinally of said shaft to lie at points below each of said means, and levers acting between said cams and each of said means for actuating said means in timed relationship.

9, The combination in a confection making confection through said'cut-v 'ter for the severance. oi'ubarstherefrom, abutj -ment means for limitingthe advancement of the confection making advancement of said v prising a solid wall for support of a side and edge of a stick throughout a substantial portion of its length, and a member spring pressed against the opposite edge of the stick movable between stick retaining and stick passing positions in response to forced movement of the stick, a vertically reciprocable driving member for .driving the sticks into said slab, a horizontally reciprocabie shuttle for successively moving said sticks laterally into said holding means, and a horizontally disposed stick magazine positioned in the horizontal plane of the shuttle and holding means for supplying the sticks in succession to said shuttle.

10. The combination in a confection making machine, of piercing means for inserting a stick into the confection comprising an abutment member, a spring pressed latch member spaced therefrom for holding a stick therebetween in a piercing'position, a vertically reciprocable driving means for movingthe stick with respect to said members to insert the stick in a slab of confection, a horizontally reciprocable shuttle for bringing successive sticks into said piercing position past said latch member, a magazine positioned in the horizontal plane of the shuttle and holding means for supplying sticks in succession to said shuttle, a drive shaft, and means operative from said shaft for independently operating said driving means and said shuttle in timed relationship.

11. The combination in a confection making machine, of a cutter, means for intermittently advancing a slab of confection through said cut- .ter to out said slab into a succession of bars,

means for driving sticks into said bars prior to the severance thereof from the slab, and transporting means arranged to grasp said sticks priorto the severance of said bars to successively transport the bars away from the cutter.

12. The combination in a confection making machine of a cutter. means for intermittently advancing a slab of confection through said cutter to cut the slab into a succession of bars, means for driving sticks into said bars prior to the severance thereof from the slab, and transporting means including a'plurality of holders for grasping said sticks prior to the severance of said bars to transport the bars away from the cutter.

13. The combination in a confection making machine of a cutter, means for intermittently advancing a slab of confection through said cutter for the severance of bars therefrom, abutment means for limiting the advancement of said slab, means for driving sticks into said slab in a position to be centrally disposed in the bars, means for transporting the bars away from the cutter after severance thereof, said transporting means having gripping means for receiving the stick at the end of said slab upon advancement thereof, means operated in timed relationship with the advancement of said slab for opening the gripping means prior to said advancement and closing said means subsequent to the ad vancement thereof, and means for moving said abutment member to an inoperative retracted position for transportation of said bars away from the cutter.

14. The combination in a confection making machine of a cutter, means for intermittently advancing a, slab of confection through said outter for the severance of bars therefrom, abutment means for limiting the advancement of said slab, means for driving sticks into said slab in a position to be centrally disposed in the severed bars, means for gripping said sticks prior to the severance of the bars and for transporting the bars away from the cutter after severance, and means for moving said abutment member to an inoperative retracted position for transportation of said bars away from the cutter.

- 15. The combination in a confection making machine of a cutter, means for intermittently advancing a slot of confection through said out-- ter for the severance of bars therefrom, abutment means for limiting the advancement of said slab, means adjustable to predetermine the limiting position of said abutment means to predetermine the size of the bars, means for driving sticks into said slab, and means manually operative to vary the position of said driving means dependent upon the size of said bars to position the sticks centrally therein.

16. The combination in a confection making machine of a cutter, means for intermittently advancing a slab of confection through said outter for the severance of bars therefrom, means for regulating the amount of said advancement dependent upon the size of the bars, abutment means for limiting the advancement of said slab, means adjustable to predetermine the limiting position of said abutment means to predetermine the size of the bars, means for driving sticks into said slab, means manually operative to vary the position of said driving means dependent upon the size of said bars to position the sticks centrally therein, means for gripping said sticks prior to the severance of the bars and for transporting the bars away from the cutter after severance, and means for moving said abutment member to an inoperative retracted position for transportation of said bars away from the cutter.

17. The combination in a confection making machine of means for advancing a slab of confection material, a cutter for severing a bar from the end of said slab, driving means for inserting a stick into each bar prior to the severance thereof, open jaws positioned for the reception of said stick upon advancement of said slab, means for closing the jaws to grip the stick prior to the severance of the bar, and means for moving the jaws to transport the bar away from the cutter.

18. The combination in a confection making machine of means for advancing a slab of confection material, a cutter for severing a bar from the end of said slab, abutment means for limiting the advancement of said slab to predetermine the size of the bars, driving means for inserting a stick into each bar prior to the severance thereof, open jaws positioned for the reception of saidstick upon advancement of said slab, means for closing the jaws to grip the stick prior to the severance of the bar, means for moving said abutment means out of said limiting position, and means for moving the jaws to transport the bar away from the cutter.

19. The combination in a confection making machine of a table, a-conveyer for blocks of confection positioned thereon adjacent one end. means for retaining the conveyer on the table releasable for the removal of the conveyer for cieaning, driving means engageable by the conveyer when seated on said table for periodically advancing the confection on the conveyer.

20. The combination in a confection making machine having stick driving mechanism of a stick magazine comprising a guideway for confinone of said feet for or I I,101,570 ing a row of sticks on their ends',-apair of spring pressed feet near one end thereof bearing against the row of sticks to apply feeding-pressure thereto, and manually operable means-for withdrawing the partial insertion of a bundle of sticks at the end of a'row and, subsequently withdrawing the other of said feet for V complete insertion whereby to maintain feeding brick having a carrying stick embedded therein, f

and means for engaging said stick prior to the severance of the brick to support the brick upon severance thereof.

22. A machine for making frozen confections having, in combination, means for supporting a block of frozen material, means for advancing the block with a step-by-step motion in an endwise direction, and two knife blades movable into the end portion of said block from opposite sides thereof to cut off a. predetermined length of said end portion, and means including operating mechanism having an operative connection with said knife biadesand anotheroperative connection with said advancing means coordinated and proportioned for operating said advancing means and said blades in timed relation.

ERSON A. BOLEN. 

